//------------------------------// // 03 - Before the Dragon // Story: Past, Present, and Future // by DragonShadow //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Before the Dragon Twilight Sparkle made her way into the interior library, where she closed the door behind Fluttershy. Her pegasus friend was pink in the cheeks, and didn’t seem to want to meet her gaze. Something that was not uncommon for her, of course, but it had been a long time since Twilight had seen her get like this when they were alone. They’d been good friends for a long time, after all. “Are you okay, Fluttershy?” Twilight approached her friend. “Has something happened?” “No, nothing like that.” Fluttershy shook her head and finally looked up at Twilight. “Pyralsprite seems like a nice baby dragon…” “Yeah, I get the feeling she doesn’t like me much though.” Twilight Sparkle rubbed the back of her neck with one hoof. “Not that I expect everypony to like me…” “Oh Twilight, it’s not that she doesn’t like you, I think she’s just confused about the way you and Spike do things.” “How we do things?” Twilight cocked her head curiously. “What do you mean?” “Well, she confided in me that she feels you treat Spike like a slave… n-not that I agree with her of course, I know you love Spike very much.” “Wh-what!?” Twilight’s wings shot up in shock. “A slave!? Why in Equestria would she think something like that!?” “She says it’s the way you talk to Spike. How you tell him to do things. I think she just doesn’t understand your special relationship with him.” “How I…?” Twilight’s cheeks reddened and she looked down slightly. “Fluttershy… do you think I treat Spike like a slave?” Fluttershy responded immediately and firmly. “Of course I don’t. I just think you need to speak with Pyralsprite and explain to her how special Spike really is to you.” “Yeah… yeah, you’re right, I’ll definitely have a talk with her, thank you.” Twilight coughed into one hoof nervously. “Do you want anything to eat or drink while you’re here?” “Oh, no thanks, I just wanted to make sure everything was okay here. I’ll let you speak with the baby dragons. The sooner the better, I think.” “Okay, I’ll talk to them immediately. Thank you again, Fluttershy.” After a swift, friendly hug, Twilight opened the door back into the living room to see Fluttershy out. “Huh? You’re leaving already?” Pyralsprite asked as they passed. “I need to get back to my animal friends, but if you need anything else, you’re welcome to come see me any time.” Fluttershy smiled and patted the dragon girl’s head with one hoof. “I’ll see you later, okay?” “Oh, sure! Later, Fluttershy!” Pyralsprite turned to wave after her as Fluttershy headed outside, closing the door to leave Twilight Sparkle alone with the two baby dragons. “So… I think we should all have a little honest talk.” Twilight turned to approach the cushions on the floor in the living room, settling down comfortably as the dragons moved toward their own cushions. “A talk? What about, Twilight?” Spike asked curiously as he plopped down beside Pyralsprite, who was curling up on her stomach over her own pillow. Twilight spoke calmly. “About our lives here. Pyralsprite? Is there anything you’d like to ask us about?” Pyralsprite jolted in surprise, then her cheeks reddened and she lowered her head. “No.” “It’s okay… you can ask us anything you want. We won’t get mad, I promise.” Spike turned to give his dragon companion a curious gaze, but said nothing. Pyralsprite took a few minutes to consider before speaking. “I don’t think it’s right for you to order Spike around… he’s a free dragon…” Twilight smiled. “Of course he’s a free dragon. Nopony’s holding him here; he’s here because he wants to be.” “Yeah, of course I am!” Spike agreed quickly. “I even left once to try to be with other dragons, and I hated it! I’m totally happy here with my Ponyville friends.” “Just because you like it here doesn’t mean you’re free here.” Pyralsprite raised her head. “What do you like to do, Spike?” “Do?” Spike blinked. “Yeah, when you’re not helping out Twilight Sparkle or Rarity. What do you do when it’s just you around town?” “Um…” Spike hesitated at that, and Twilight could guess why. He never really went out on his own; he always followed Twilight around and helped her out with whatever she was doing. He never complained, in fact he always seemed happy to do it, but now Twilight could see how that might seem a bit… questionable. Worst of all, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of anything that made him happy on his own besides eating gemstones and being around Rarity… “Well?” Pyralsprite demanded. “I like…” Spike trailed off, then grunted defensively. “What does it matter what I like to do on my own? I like living here, I like my friends, and I choose to be with Twilight Sparkle.” “That’s right,” Twilight agreed quickly. “Where else would he even go? He doesn’t like it with other dragons, and a baby dragon can’t exactly go out and live on his own.” “He’s not a baby, don’t call him that,” Pyralsprite growled. Spike blinked in confusion. “I’m not?” Twilight chuckled incredulously. “What do you mean he’s not a baby dragon? He’s only ten years old, and he’s so small.” “Dragons don’t grow the way mammals do,” Pyralsprite countered quickly. “We’re fully mature at five years, getting bigger is a mental thing. How do you not know any of this? How can you claim to take good care of Spike without knowing anything about us?” “W-well…” Twilight blushed. Now that Pyralsprite mentioned it, Spike had grown rather abruptly after his birthday party… and then shrunk back down to his old size when his mentality was changed. Was it true this was how all dragons continued to grow after they were fully mature? Was their physical growth fueled by their mental state? It was an intriguing thought that definitely warranted further study, but right now Twilight was feeling too ashamed to press for details. She really didn’t know anything about Spike… “Come on, Pyralsprite, knock it off.” Spike interrupted with a stern tone in his voice. “Twilight respects me plenty; she hatched me for crying out loud.” “What!?” Pyralsprite gasped. “She hatched you? Where in the world did a pony get hold of a dragon egg?” “It was…” Twilight hesitated, realizing how damning this was going to sound. “It was… given to me?” She heard a growl rise up from Pyralsprite's throat, and quickly continued over it before it could grow too loud. “I swear Princess Celestia gave it to me during my magic school entrance exam. That was where I hatched Spike myself.” “And how did a pony princess get her hooves on a dragon egg in the first place?” Pyralsprite was fired up now, her wings flaring out above her aggressively. “No dragon female in her right mind would ever willingly hand an egg over to ponies! Or any other species!” “Pyralsprite! That’s enough!” Spike exclaimed. “Stop yelling at Twilight! I mean it!” Pyralsprite growled deep in her throat, but her body slowly relaxed, settling down onto the floor again as her wings drooped more limply. “You know I’m right.” “What are you saying?” Spike demanded. “Are you accusing Princess Celestia of stealing a dragon egg? She would never do something like that.” “Then where did she get it?” Pyralsprite asked simply. Twilight and Spike exchanged a quick glance, neither able to offer her an answer. When she got no response Pyralsprite shook her head and turned to head for the stairs, making her way up towards the bedroom. “Dragon eggs don’t just fall out of the sky.” The bedroom door slammed shut above them, leaving Twilight and Spike standing alone in the living room. For several tense moments Twilight had no idea what to say, but Spike spoke first. “Where do you think she got it?” Spike asked in a hushed whisper. Twilight stared down at her faithful assistant for another moment before approaching him, slipping a hoof around his shoulders. “I don’t know… she never told me, and that’s the honest truth.” “I believe you, Twilight…” Spike shook his head. “And I don’t for a second think Princess Celestia would ever steal an egg from any creature… but… I’d kind of like to know where it came from.” “I understand.” Twilight squeezed him slightly harder, then released him and gave him an encouraging smile. “And I’ll do my best to find out for you.” Spike’s eyes widened. “You will?” “Absolutely. I want you to stay here with Pyralsprite while I-” Twilight caught herself in a moment, clearing her throat. “I mean… would you please stay here with Pyralsprite while I go to Canterlot and ask her in person?” “Of course I will… somepony has to keep her out of trouble. She has kind of a temper.” Twilight giggled. “Apparently… but at least that temper is being used to try to defend her friend.” Spike blushed and rubbed his arm with one claw. “Y-yeah… I guess that’s true.” Twilight nudged him toward the staircase with a wink. “Go on, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” “Okay, Twilight. Take care.” Spike turned to head upstairs after Pyralsprite. Twilight watched him make his way up to the bedroom, and then turned to head outside once he was gone. Her hooves carried her rapidly down the sidewalk towards the Ponyville train station, where it would be just a short ride to Canterlot. A skilled pegasus could have flown there in under an hour, but she was far from a skilled pegasus. She was barely able to fly under optimal conditions, let alone with the breeze that was blowing through town today. She could have sent a letter through Spike, but this seemed like something best asked in person. Besides, if she did that he would have read both her letter and Celestia’s, and as much as she loved and trusted her cherished monarch, she wasn’t sure that was the best idea right now. She wanted to know the truth and tell him in her own way. She would be honest, of course… but perhaps if the news was bad it would be easier coming from her. Not that she would ever suspect Princess Celestia of stealing an egg… there had to be a better explanation. There just had to be… ___ Canterlot was a huge place, as Twilight well knew. She’d spent most of her life here. Not that she’d gone out very often to really take in the size and majesty of the city; she’d mostly stayed within the confines of her home and the palace, jetting back and forth only to attend her studies and go home to study some more. Ever since she’d gone to Ponyville, however, coming back was always an eye opening experience. It really showed her how much she missed, keeping her nose in her books all the time. Even Canterlot Castle, a place she’d come to so often during her studies in her formative years, took on a new light with this fresh perspective. It never failed to leave her breathless just how beautiful it was, even in the shade of the mountain as the sun moved down past the peak towards its resting place on the far horizon. “Good afternoon, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The two guards outside the gate bowed low as she approached. Twilight blushed. She was never going to get used to that. “Y-yes, thank you, sirs. Carry on.” Twilight moved past them uncontested. She was always free to come and go whenever she wanted, but she almost felt like she was abusing her royal privilege now. Being a princess was so awkward, giving commands was not her style. Well… except with Spike, she thought with a blush. She moved quickly into the castle and made her way to the throne room. Princess Celestia wasn’t at her throne; instead one of the maid ponies was dusting it with a duster clutched between her teeth. “Oh! Your Highness!” The maid bowed quickly. Twilight looked back, expecting to see Celestia standing right behind her, until she realized the maid was talking to her. “Oh! Uh… don’t mind me, carry on!” Twilight blushed. “Could you tell me where Princess Celestia is now?” “She’s in her private chambers getting a massage.” The maid stood upright again with a kind smile. “But she has told the palace staff to always let you in, Princess Twilight.” “Oh, really? Well… thank you. You can get back to your, uh… thing.” Twilight waved thankfully at the maid, then turned to make her way down the hall towards Celestia’s private bedchamber. She stopped outside to knock with one dainty hoof. “Who is it?” Celestia’s soft voice floated through the door. “It’s Twilight, Your Highness.” “Twilight Sparkle, of course you may come in. My door is always open for you.” Twilight pushed the door open and stepped inside. Princess Celestia was lying on her stomach on the floor, resting on the thick round carpet in front of the fireplace while a strong-looking stallion stood over her, his hooves kneading into her back. Celestia turned to look up at her with a relaxed expression and a blissful smile. “Um… I can… come back if I’m interrupting…” Twilight blushed. “It’s quite alright, Twilight. You can speak freely. Muscle Relaxer is quite trustworthy.” Celestia smiled up at the stallion. “Of course, Your Highness.” Muscle Relaxer nodded formally, continuing his work. “Well… it’s not really something private, just something that came up back in Ponyville, and I thought you could provide the answer.” Celestia waved a hoof. “Of course. If I have an answer to give, I will give it to you.” “The dragon egg… the one that Spike hatched from. Where did you get it?” Twilight asked. Celestia seemed taken aback by the question, lifting her head from the carpet to fix her with a long, stunned stare. A moment later she jerked her hoof at Muscle Relaxer. “You are free to go until I signal your return.” “Yes, Your Highness.” Muscle Relaxer bowed and left the room, closing the door to leave the two alicorns alone. Celestia rose to her hooves, standing at her full height in front of Twilight. “That’s quite a question to bring to me so suddenly.” “I understand…” Twilight hesitated. She hadn’t expected a reaction quite like this… but she’d promised Spike an answer. “But it’s something Spike has begun to wonder, and I think he has a right to know.” “You’re right. He absolutely has every right to ask such a question… unfortunately, I have no answer I can give.” “You mean you don’t know…?” “I mean I have no answer I can give.” Celestia approached with a sad smile. “I don’t understand… you said you would tell me anything. Why won’t you tell me this?” “Because I cannot.” Celestia shook her head. “Nor can I tell you why.” Twilight Sparkle was stunned. In all her years of training under Princess Celestia, she’d never been completely blocked after asking a question. She’s always been as open and honest as could be… was it possible that… Was it possible Princess Celestia was guilty after all? “Princess Celestia, was the egg… stolen?” Twilight asked haltingly. Celestia stared down at her for some time before turning to make her way back to the carpet in front of the fireplace, settling down once more. “I’m sorry, Twilight. Spike deserves to know the truth… but the truth cannot be spoken of. Not even to you, or him.” “Princess…” “That’s all I will say, Twilight. There are times when even I am not free to do what I wish. Would you do me a favor and send Muscle Relaxer back in?” Celestia’s smile was as calm and bright as ever, but her tone, however amicable, left no doubt that Twilight had just been dismissed. Twilight’s mind was reeling, she’d never simply been dismissed without an answer like this… it left her dumbfounded as she turned to leave without so much as a goodbye. How could it be? Could Celestia really have stolen a dragon egg? How? When? From whom? Most importantly, why? She left the room in a blank, confused haze, seeing the masseuse still standing outside the door. Twilight thought for a moment to tell him that Celestia was free again, but she couldn’t muster the will to do so. Instead she just wandered past him, heading toward the exit and the train station. What was she supposed to tell Spike? How would he react when he learned that Celestia wouldn’t talk about it? He would undoubtedly reach the same conclusion she did… What would he do then…? ___ Twilight’s mind hadn’t eased by the time she reached her home in Ponyville later in the evening. The words to tell him what had happened simply wouldn’t come. He adored Princess Celestia like everyone else in Equestria… this was almost like a betrayal. Even Twilight felt a little betrayed and she was probably closer to the princess than anypony. Maybe she was wrong, maybe there was some other reason Celestia wouldn’t answer… a reason Twilight couldn’t even guess about… “Twilight! You’re back!” Spike exclaimed from upstairs after Twilight kicked the door closed behind her. He and Pyralsprite made their way down the stairs to meet her in the living room. “What did she say?” “She…” Twilight hesitated. “She… didn’t say anything.” “What do you mean?” Spike demanded. “You asked her, didn’t you?” “Yes, I asked her… and she refused to respond. She wouldn’t tell me where the egg came from… I’m sorry.” Pyralsprite grunted. “Sounds like an admission of guilt to me.” “N-no!” Spike whirled in Pyralsprite. “You’re wrong! The princess wouldn’t steal an egg!” his voice cracked as he continued, his claws clenching at his sides. “She wouldn’t steal me to give to somepony…” “Spike, I’m sure there’s a rational explanation…” Twilight touched his shoulder gently, but the little dragon jerked away from her to stomp upstairs with his shoulders shaking. The bedroom door slammed behind him, leaving the two girls alone in the living room. “Honestly? I was hoping I was wrong…” Pyralsprite gripped one of her wings with her foreclaws. “Yeah… me too.” Twilight took a deep, calming breath. “Would you please wait down here while I go talk to him?” “Yeah, sure…” Pyralsprite plopped down on a cushion in the living room with her wings tucked in tightly around herself. Twilight headed upstairs, making her way to the bedroom door, which opened slowly with a nudge of her magic as she approached. She could see the baby dragon lying in his bed face-down, curled up into a purple ball of scales. He didn’t sound like he was crying, at least not from here. Yet as she moved closer she could hear the low sniffles from his bed, his claws hiding his face from the world around him. “Spike…” Twilight approached her dragon friend and knelt beside his bed, but didn’t move to touch him. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get the answer you wanted…” “Is-isn’t that an answer…?” Spike sniffled into his hands. “P-Pyralsprite’s right… it… it’s like she said… said that…” “Spike… she didn’t say anything. It’s all open to what you believe…” Twilight wanted to comfort him… but her heart wasn’t in it. Even she couldn’t help but think the princess was guilty… but she just couldn’t imagine her sneaking a dragon egg away from its mother… and for what? To give it to a unicorn as a servant? As a slave? Twilight took a deep breath. “Spike… I just want you to know, no matter where your egg came from, it doesn’t change anything between you and me. You’re still my number one assistant… and my best friend in the world. Nothing can change that.” She leaned in to give him a soft nuzzle on the back of his head, but he didn’t respond. So Twilight rose from the carpet to make her way to the living room, closing the bedroom door behind her on her way. Obviously the baby d… no, not a baby dragon. Obviously the little dragon needed some time to himself. She just hoped when he was ready to come out that he wouldn’t do anything rash… ___ Twilight awakened the next morning in the living room, lying on the lush carpet with a thin blanket draped over her body. Pyralsprite was coiled up nearby, with her tail batting lightly at her lips in her sleep. Spike hadn’t emerged from the bedroom since yesterday afternoon, and neither of them had the heart to barge in to go to bed. Twilight was kind of regretting it now though; her back was stiff and creaky as she sat up. As the first one up, Twilight decided to make breakfast herself for a change. With Spike around she’d never cooked anything, but perhaps it would make both dragons feel better to have something to nibble on when they awakened. In fact she could go to Rarity’s and pick up some gemstones for them, which would really make them feel better. It also meant they wouldn’t have to try her experimental cooking and become even more upset. The Ponyville sky was blotted by darkening gray clouds as she emerged to make her way towards Carousel Boutique through streets that were still mostly empty this early. She was pretty sure there wasn’t a rainstorm scheduled for today, so they must have wandered in while the weather teams were asleep. They would be gone as soon as Rainbow Dash woke up and took care of it, but for now they cast a dull gray pallor over the town, a sign that Twilight prayed wasn’t too ominous… Her hoof knocked heavily on the door to Carousel Boutique, and she took a step back to wait. She could hear a soft commotion inside before Rarity opened the door, with a pair of thick pink glasses perched on the end of her nose. “Oh, good morning, Twilight! What a pleasant surprise! Do come in.” Rarity stepped aside to let her friend enter. “Thank you, Rarity.” Twilight smiled as she moved into the showroom in front of the shop. “You’re up awfully early to be working, do you have a big order?” “They’re getting bigger all the time, it seems. Being best friends with Princess Twilight may have something to do with it,” Rarity giggled. “Heh… glad to help.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Not to be brisk, but I was wondering if you have any gemstones to spare. I have two little dragons at home sleeping, and I’d like to get them something special for when they wake up. I can pay for them.” “Pffft, pay for them? I wouldn’t dream of it, darling!” Rarity turned to head into the back. “Come with me, I’m sure I can find some I don’t need immediately.” “Thank you!” Twilight followed her into the back, towards the storage chests lining the far wall. “So what’s the occasion?” Rarity asked as she rummaged through her chests. “Oh, no occasion, really. Spike’s feeling kind of down, and I thought a special breakfast treat might help cheer him up.” Rarity whirled with a gasp. “Spike’s feeling down? Oh dear, what happened?” “Well, Pyralsprite asked where his egg came from and I tried to find out… but Princess Celestia wouldn’t tell me.” Twilight looked down with a blush. “I don’t want to sound suspicious but… it doesn’t sound good, and Spike’s really upset about it.” “Oh my goodness, well we simply cannot let that last, can we?” Rarity’s horn glowed as several gems emerged from one of the chests as Rarity gave her a wink. “I’ll just have to come with you and make certain he feels better.” “Oh Rarity, you don’t need to do that. You seem so busy.” “There’s no such thing as too busy for a good friend, and especially not for my Spikey Wikey.” Rarity stuffed the gems into her saddlebag and turned to head toward the front door. “Now come, we can discuss it or we can go cheer up our dear friend.” “Thanks Rarity…” Twilight smiled widely and followed her quickly down the street. There was no way Spike wouldn’t be cheered up by a visit from Rarity, if there was one thing she knew about him, it was that Rarity paying attention to him was the best thing that could possibly happen to him. When they got back to the Golden Oaks Library, Pyralsprite was already awake and stretching her wings in the living room. The little dragon seemed to recoil slightly when they entered, but quickly caught herself before retreating. Pyralsprite spoke through a half-cough. “H-hey… Rarity… and Twilight…” Rarity didn’t seem to notice the strange reaction. “Well good morning, Pyralsprite. I brought you a little something for breakfast!” One of the gemstones lifted out of her saddlebag to float into the dragon’s claws. “Really? Sweet!” Pyralsprite snapped it up immediately, licking her lips in mere seconds. “Mmmmh, I think my wings are about healed too. They don’t feel tingly anymore.” “Really? That’s great. Here, let me take your bandages off and we can check.” Twilight approached the dragon as her horn glowed softly with magic. The bandages unraveled themselves swiftly, fluttering in a neatly coiled pile to the floor as the girl extended her wings out to full spread, the membrane one full, unbroken piece once again. “Well look at that. Dragon healing is very impressive.” “Most certainly! Those wings look magnificent!” Rarity chimed in. “Does this mean you’re going home?” Twilight asked. “Well… I would, but… I kinda wanna-” Pyralsprite was cut off by the sound of the door on the second floor creaking open. Spike emerged in a slow walk, his eyes drooping and his arms limp at his sides. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed Rarity standing in the living room, but he didn’t give his usual yelp of excitement, or get that gleeful glimmer in his eyes. He just stood there with a dull, blank look on his face, looking between the three girls on the first floor. Rarity stepped forward. “Oh Spiiiiike, I brought your favorite breakfast.” Rarity’s saddlebag opened and several blue gemstones hovered in the in front of her. “I know how much you love sapphire.” “Thanks…” Spike spoke in a dull tone as he made his way downstairs, his limp tail thudding on each step as he made his way down. When he finally reached the floor he plucked one of the sapphire stones out of the air to look it over. “It’s a special gift from me to you, my darling Spike.” Rarity batted her eyelashes with a sweet smile. Spike took a bite of one side of the gem, looking up at the two ponies standing over him, then across at the dragon girl, who was closer to his height, despite her serpentine body being significantly longer. “Everyone’s staring at me…” “Oh, I just heard you were feeling a little blue.” Rarity waved off the complaint with one hoof. “I have an idea, how about you come back to the boutique with me and you can help me with some of my newest designs? I know how you love assisting me, and they could certainly use your amazing touch.” Twilight’s eyes widened while Pyralsprite’s narrowed. Rarity didn’t know exactly what the problem was… and that was probably the worst thing she could have said right now. “Assist you, huh…?” Spike’s claw squeezed around the sapphire, soon shattering it into shards that slipped between his fingers as a fine blue dust. “Um… Yes? You love helping me in my workshop. You always have the brightest smile on your face, it just warms my heart.” Rarity smiled brightly, with a twinge of nervousness in her voice. Spike didn’t snap, he didn’t yell, he didn’t even respond. He just looked up at Twilight with a blank expression. “Twilight… I think I want to leave.” “What!?” Rarity exclaimed in shock. “Spike… please, think about this a little longer.” Twilight pleaded with him. “I know you’re hurt and confused… but we all love you here.” “I know…” Spike’s voice quivered as he moved past the two ponies, approaching Pyralsprite, who had a look of shock on her own face. “I love you guys too… but this… I feel like I’m nothing. I feel like all I’ve ever done, and all I’m going to do is serve everypony… and that’s all anypony wants me to do, even Celestia…” Rarity’s voice quivered. “Th-that’s not true at all.” “Yeah!” Twilight added quickly. “We don’t just want you to do things for us! Th-things can change if you want them to! You don’t have to do anything!” “I don’t even know what I’d do with myself if they did change.” Spike just stared at Pyralsprite, who had a more calm and serious look on her face now. “I don’t know how to be a dragon… I don’t know how to even be a pony. Every time you’ve let me take a day off I’ve spent it helping others, Twilight… I don’t know how to do anything else… I think that’s all I’ll ever do as long as I’m here in Ponyville. The only way I’ll do anything other than be the baby dragon assistant… is to leave Ponyville. Would you mind if I went with you now that your wings are healed, Pyralsprite?” Pyralsprite shook her head. “No way, I don’t mind at all. I’d be glad for the company.” Rarity stepped forward. “S-Spike, please listen to reason! Tell me anything you want from me and I’ll give it to you! A-a hug! A kiss! D-do you want that fire ruby back? I bet it’s well-aged by now!” “Thank you for everything Rarity…” Spike’s voice wavered. “You really are… the most beautiful creature…” His voice broke as he quickly made his way out front, his claws stomping across the street away from the library. Pyralsprite hurried after him, and the two ponies made their way to the front door in pursuit. “Spike! Please!” Twilight shouted after him. “Please come back, Spike!” “Spike!” Rarity shouted after him, her whole body quivering. “I love you! Come back and I’ll be your very special somepony! I’ll do whatever you want! Just come back!” Rarity gaped in shock when the little dragon didn’t even turn around. Some of the ponies who’d emerged to begin their daily business gave them all strange glances, but nopony moved to stop the pair of baby dragons. “T-Twilight…” Rarity turned tear filled eyes on Twilight. “We’re going after him again… right…?” “Rarity…” Twilight took a deep breath, futilely trying to fight back tears of her own. “I want to, so badly… but I don’t think we can, this time…” To be Continued